Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Abstract

A systemic approach must be taken with both upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. The first priority is stabilization. Once this has been achieved, and in patients who present with stable vital signs, a systematic approach to diagnosis and management must be followed. The urgency with which this is performed will be dictated by such aspects as risk factors and the clinical presentation. Some patients may need immediate diagnostic studies in the emergency department, some in the intensive care unit, some on a regular floor, and others may even be able to receive medical treatment followed by investigation on an outpatient basis.

Retrospective study of the utility of nuclear scintigraphic‐labelled red cell scanning for lower gastrointestinal bleeding

“…However, it is estimated that between 10 and 25% of patients will eventually require surgery to control bleeding 3 . Effective management of this group requires accurate localization before definitive treatment can be instituted 1,2 , 4,5 …”